Cover We list five next-generation actors who are triggering our second lead syndrome, including Kim Hyun-jin as Baek Do-Hong in the K-drama ‘Dreaming of a Freaking Fairytale’ (Photo: Instagram / @pat8mat)
We list five next-generation actors who are triggering our second lead syndrome, including Kim Hyun-jin as Baek Do-Hong in the K-drama ‘Dreaming of a Freaking Fairytale’ (Photo: Instagram / @pat8mat)
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They had the charm, the devotion, and sometimes even the better storyline—so why didn’t they get the girl? Here are the notable K-drama second male leads of the next generation
Fans of Korean dramas are no strangers to the second male lead syndrome. It’s an affliction that sneaks up on you—one moment, you’re invested in the main couple’s arc; the next, you’re irrationally hoping for an alternate ending. How could we forget Kim Hyun-joong’s quiet intensity in Boys Over Flowers, his violin case in hand, his heart one step behind? Or Kim Seon-ho in Start-Up, whose financial acumen was matched only by his emotional restraint, making us root for him despite the odds? And then there’s Chae Jong-hyeop’s portrayal of Yang Do-hyeok in Nevertheless, with the gentle persistence of a first love that never quite fades.
The line between actor and character blurs when it comes to these second leads—the ones who linger in the periphery yet steal entire scenes. Sometimes, they’re the more rational choice, the safer bet, the kind of love that would make sense in real life. Other times, they are simply too good to be true, destined to exist only in the what-ifs of the audience’s imagination.
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Here is the next generation of second male leads who left us questioning everything—again.
Song Geon-hee as Kim Tae-seong in ‘Lovely Runner’
Perhaps one of Kim Tae-seong’s most poignant scenes in Lovely Runner came not in grand declarations or dramatic confrontations, but in a quiet, knowing smile. As he watched Im Sol (Kim Hye-yoon) and Ryu Sun-jae (Byeon Woo-seok) leave together in the same car, the weight of unspoken emotions settled in. Acceptance is one thing; heartbreak is another. And yet, beneath the ache, there’s something deeper—a quiet understanding that Sol’s happiness, and their friendship, matter more than his own longing. (Not that this stops us from crying, especially with the soundtrack swelling in the background.)
Heo Nam-jun as Ji Sang-woo in ‘When the Phone Rings’
Admit it: before we fully understood Baek Sae-eon’s (Yoo Yeon-seok) true feelings for Jong Hee-joo (Chae Soo-bin), we were all rooting for Ji Sang-woo. He had everything—looks, a solid career, and a history with Hee-joo that felt effortless. Even Sae-eon, with his carefully maintained composure, couldn’t help but take notice—zooming in on photos, stalking Sang-woo online, indulging in curiosity that felt dangerously close to jealousy. But not every second lead is doomed to heartbreak. Ji Sang-woo may not have won the girl, but at least he got a happy ending of his own.
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Yoon Ji-on as Bang Jun-ho in ‘Serendipity’s Embrace’
Yoon Ji-On’s portrayal of the persistent ex-boyfriend, Bang Joon-Ho, had us captivated from the very first moment he appeared on screen. In episode six, his emotional depth shone through as Joon-Ho desperately tried to rekindle his romance with Lee Hong-Joo (Kim So-Hyun), despite her new relationship with Kang Hoo-Young (Chae Jong-Hyeop). What stood out was Yoon’s ability to convey the complexity of Joon-Ho’s feelings—his longing, determination, and heartache—all while maintaining an air of quiet intensity.
Kim Hyun-jin as Baek Do-Hong in ‘Dreaming of a Freaking Fairytale’
We won’t lie—Baek Do-Hong had us from the start. Kim Hyun-jin’s portrayal of the blockbuster film director in Dreaming of a Freaking Fairytale is everything we didn’t know we needed. His straightforward, no-frills approach to love? Irresistible. His confession to Shin Jae-rim (Pyo Ye-jin) in episode six left us weak in the knees, and by episode eight, when he boldly declared his feelings, we were all in. Sure, Do-Hong didn’t always get the girl, but his unwavering loyalty and emotional depth made him the perfect misunderstood love interest. With his manhwa-like visuals and heart-throbbing lines, it’s clear: the Kim Hyun-jin fandom is just getting started.
Lee Sang-yi as Joo Seok-hoon in ‘My Demon’
In My Demon, Lee Sang-yi plays Joo Seok-hoon, a character whose potential is overshadowed by his role as a foil in the complex love triangle between Do Do-hee (Kim Yoo-jung) and Jeong Gu-won (Song Kang). While some reviews highlight that his character feels underutilised, Lee’s performance still stands out for its intriguing villainous edge. Joo Seok-hoon adds layers to the narrative, giving fresh perspectives on loyalty and love.
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Angela Nicole Regis Guiral is the assistant digital editor of Tatler Philippines. She studied journalism and has since written features that look closely at how culture, lifestyle and social impact converge, while occasionally wandering into the worlds of style and travel.
